Success hasn't spoiled the Levellers: This is the third album by the unkempt English quintet, and its political harangues are even more furious and focused than on earlier efforts. The album starts with a howling siren on ... more &raquo"Warning," a critique on the war on drugs, and ends with "Bielaruse," an assessment of affairs in the East. The songs are filled with memorable hooks, invigorating rhythms, and inspired playing (especially the frenzied fiddle work), making the Levellers a lot more vital than other bands exploring a similar mix of Celtic, folk, and rock sounds. --Jim DeRogatis&laquo less

Synopsis

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Success hasn't spoiled the Levellers: This is the third album by the unkempt English quintet, and its political harangues are even more furious and focused than on earlier efforts. The album starts with a howling siren on "Warning," a critique on the war on drugs, and ends with "Bielaruse," an assessment of affairs in the East. The songs are filled with memorable hooks, invigorating rhythms, and inspired playing (especially the frenzied fiddle work), making the Levellers a lot more vital than other bands exploring a similar mix of Celtic, folk, and rock sounds. --Jim DeRogatis

CD Reviews

Passionate, intelligent, and inspiring

J. Everist | Albuquerque, NM United States | 11/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My roommate turned me on to the Levellers, and I'm really glad he did because this CD is awesome. This is a great mix of Celtic folk and English Punk. Perhaps its old news to the guy from York, but for an American maybe not as familiar with the scene, its really powerful stuff. Beyond the stylistic mix, the songs really grip you emotionally. I find myself playing this CD frequently - there's not a bad song on the album and a few really great ones. Take a listen to track #4, Is This Art - my favorite of the bunch.I normally listen to hard rock - either Rush/Zeppelin, etc or modern bands like Bush and Foo Fighters. However, I try to listen to all styles of music if its good, and this is very definitely good.I hope these guys release more albums. I noticed their last release was in 1996."

Music With a Conscience

Craobh Rua | N. Ireland | 12/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Formed in Brighton in 1988, the band took their name from a radical grouping involved in the English Civil War. The original Levellers advocated republican politics and the freedom of worship. The band's music would be best described as a mixture of folk, rock and punk, with their lyrics displaying a keen social conscience. Probably as a result of this, they're commonly seen as the leading lights in the crustie movement - and have been (wrongly) dismissed by many solely on the basis of this image. Recorded in 1993, mostly at the Real World studio, this is the band's third album. Only one of the songs on the album - "Dirty Davey" - wasn't written by the band themselves. It was originally written and performed by another Brighton band called "McDermott's Two Hours". Two of my favourite tracks on the album - "This Garden" and "Julie" - were released as singles. "Julie" leans towards the folk side of things, largely acoustic and featuring the pipes and fiddle. "This Garden" again features the acoustic guitar and fiddle, but the didgeridoo and 'spoken' lyrics add a touch of urgency. The single was a top 20 hit in the UK and throughout Europe.The album gets off to a great start, as the opening four tracks are excellent tunes. "Warning" and "100 Years of Solitude" are up-tempo tunes, with thumping bass-lines, punchy guitar playing and a violin that virtually growls at times. "The Likes of You and I" and "Is This Art" are a little more acoustic and laid back - like "Julie", they show the band's folky influences coming to the fore. Overall, an excellent album without any filler whatsoever - it starts with at a high level with "Warning" and the band manage to maintain this level throughout."

The Misunderstood Levellers album

J. Everist | 04/25/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As any Levellers fan will know, the band are not particularly fond of this album (particularly Mark Chadwick). It's a lot darker than 'levelling' and 'weapon' and takes a little time to get into. I personally reckon this is one of their best especially 'The Likes of You and I' and '100 Years of Solitude'. The only bit I don't like is the annoying bagpipe solo thing at the end of 'Julie' but apart from that, it's brilliant!"